By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ARCHBOLD – In a 62-49 win at Tinora on February 9, 2024, Archbold 6’3” senior Cade Brenner became the ninth Archbold Bluestreaks boys’ basketball player to surpass 1,000 career points.
“It’s definitely something that I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. I could remember seeing people achieve it and think that it was going to be me someday”, said Brenner about the achievement.
“But as for right now, the league title as well as the district title is where my head is at right now.”
“I think his work ethic stands out”, said head coach Joe Frank, a 1979 graduate of Archbold and also a member of the 1,000-point club himself.
“He loves the game and puts in a ton of time to improve his individual skills. He has a passion for the game and loves to compete, which shows in how he plays each and every game.”
“His love for the game and competitiveness can be contagious. His teammates see him working hard and just follow along. His leadership by example is really important to the success of the team.”
“He has absolutely improved and grown in every aspect of the game. He has worked in the weight room to become physically stronger and that has been huge.”
“His ballhandling skills have also developed with hard work. Obviously, he can shoot the ball really well but an area he has really developed is in his mid-range game and finishing ability at the rim.”
“Those things don’t just happen. it takes hours and hours of work, and he has certainly put in the time. His leadership skills have also improved, and our team has benefitted tremendously as a result”, added Frank, who is in his sixth year as head coach.
“Cade has a joy for the game of basketball that is remarkable. He comes to practice every day with a
smile on his face and that is fun to watch. He has accomplished some great things, but I really feel his best basketball is in front of him.”
As a sophomore, he was named Honorable Mention NWOAL and District 7 and his junior year he was NWOAL Player of the Year, 1st Team District 7, 1st Team All-District, and Special Mention All-Ohio.
Brenner pointed out what a key role his family, parents Derek and Kasey Brenner and sister Kodi Brenner, have played in his success.
“They have always provided me a platform to play on since I was young. Whether it was travel basketball or just driving me to the gym when I wanted to get shots up, they were always there.”
Brenner, who was a force on the football field and will play baseball this spring, is also involved with his youth group at Archbold Evangelical Church, a member of the National Honor Society, holds a 4.0 GPA, and scored a 30 on the ACT.
Brenner’s love for the game started at a young age he recalled, getting his first basketball hoop at the age of seven. “My love for the game started then, but I really started to get serious about 6th or 7th grade when I started AAU”, he added.
“I would tell young kids with dreams of a successful basketball career to never let anything stop you from doing what you love to do. After my freshman year, I was having a lot of doubts about basketball, but I stuck it out and many great rewards came with that decision.”
Brenner has many memories when reflecting on his high school career. “Some of my favorite memories are beating Patrick Henry and denying them a league title last year and coming back from 15 points down against Evergreen a couple weeks ago.”
“Also, dressing for our regional run my freshman year was a pretty cool experience. What I’m going to take away most from this is just the fun I had in all the different atmospheres and communities that we played in.”
“Nothing compares to the Archbold community when it comes to sports and I’m so grateful I have had the opportunity to play in it.”
After graduation, Brenner plans to attend a four-year university and major in exercise science and continue his basketball career, but he’s undecided on a college as of now.
